Nigerian author and filmmaker, Arese Ugwu, has opened up about a painful moment in her career
She was turned down by global streaming platform Netflix, despite the notable success of her TV series The Smart Money Woman.
Arese Ugwu, 39, shared in a recent interview with Afropolitan that following the strong reception of the show on both Africa Magic and Netflix, she had approached the streaming giant for sponsorship to expand the project.
However, her proposal was declined, a response she described as emotionally devastating.
“We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better, and shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me,” she said.
Despite the setback, Arese Ugwu remains resolute in carving a solid identity for herself within the film industry.
She is not just a successful author whose book was adapted for screen, but a full-fledged filmmaker.
“I want to establish myself as a filmmaker. I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series,” she added.
Arese Ugwu’s remarks underscore the challenges creatives often face when transitioning across mediums and seeking validation from major industry players.
People Also Read: AMVCA 2025: Full List of Winners
Her resilience continues to inspire many in the Nigerian entertainment and literary spheres.
